yucca

noun

yuc·​ca ˈyə-kə 

1

: any of a genus (Yucca) of sometimes arborescent plants of the asparagus family that occur in warm regions chiefly of western North America and have long sword-shaped often stiff fibrous-margined leaves on a usually woody base and bear a large panicle of white blossoms

2

: cassava

Illustration of yucca

Examples of yucca in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Signature dishes include corn and yucca arepas filled with local cheese and guacamole, and tortillas wrapped in hoja santa leaves topped with mole sauce. —Michaela Trimble, Vogue, 28 Apr. 2025

Made from natural ingredients like rosemary oil, peppermint oil, yucca leaf extra and horsetail leaf extract, the cleanser soothes the scalp and reduces inflammation. —Christopher Murray, FOXNews.com, 2 Apr. 2025

At nearly 800,000 acres, Joshua Tree National Park features a whole host of amazing wonders, including Joshua tree (or yucca) forests, enormous rock formations, a cholla cactus garden, bighorn sheep, and tortoises. —Lydia Mansel, Travel + Leisure, 12 Jan. 2025

The week before the ceremony, the community cuts down cottonwood trees and gathers yucca plants and other supplies for the dance. —Alejandra Rubio, NPR, 29 Mar. 2025

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, from Spanish yuca, of unknown origin

First Known Use

1664, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for yucca

• plica
• pucca

Kids Definition

yucca

noun

yuc·​ca ˈyək-ə 

: any of a genus of plants that are related to the agaves, grow in warm dry regions mostly of western North America, have long pointed often stiff leaves, and produce a tall stiff stalk with whitish flowers